Kailash Mansarovar to reopen soon, NSA Ajit Doval and Wang-Yi take 6 major decisions to enhance India-China relations

Following the meeting of PM Narendra Modi and Xi Jinping at the BRICS Summit 2024, India and China have now agreed on 6 major decisions to strengthen diplomatic ties. India’s NSA Ajit Doval and Wang-Yi met nearly five years after at the 23rd meeting of the Special Representatives held in Beijing. New Delhi and Beijing have reached an agreement by mutually agreeing to the resumption of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, fostering cross-border river cooperation, NathuLa Pass trade, and the resolution of the border conflict. The SRs talked about strengthening bilateral relations, resolving the boundary dispute, and building mechanisms to establish regional peace and stability.

Both the special representatives discussed steps to strengthen ties by promoting peace and cooperation in the border areas, resolving boundary questions, and executing the India-China lac patrolling agreement in October 2024. Most importantly, the two sides focused on allowing the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage for Indian pilgrims. 

The 6 key consensus: 

• Ajit Doval and Wang-Yi agreed on creating a political framework for the resolution of the India-China border dispute
• The two sides focused on deploying the October 2024 India-China Patrol Agreement of disengagement. 
• With a focus on restoring peace, Wang Yi and Ajit Doval discussed how to stabilize peace in the border areas. Also, a focus on devising a strategy to address and resolve the India-China boundary issue. 
• They talked about strengthening cooperation, allowing Indian pilgrims to travel to Tibet, resumption of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, cross-border river cooperation, and Nathula border trade. 
•  The establishment of a China-India Working mechanism for consultation and coordination on Border Affairs was also proposed during the meeting. 
• NSA Ajit Doval has invited Wang-Yi and Chinese Vice President Han Zheng for a follow-up meeting of the next round of Special Representative meetings. 

“Drawing on the learnings from the events of 2020, they discussed various measures to maintain peace and tranquillity on the border and advance effective border management. They decided to use, coordinate, and guide the relevant diplomatic and military mechanisms towards this purpose. The SRs exchanged views on bilateral, regional, and global issues of mutual interest,” added the Ministry of External Affairs in its press release.